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CHASTELY

 - 3 dictionary results

chaste

  [cheyst]
Use CHASTELY in a Sentence
–adjective, chast⋅er, chast⋅est.
1. refraining from sexual intercourse that is regarded as contrary to morality or religion; virtuous.
2. virgin.
3. not engaging in sexual relations; celibate.
4. free from obscenity; decent: chaste conversation.
5. undefiled or stainless: chaste, white snow.
6. pure in style; not excessively ornamented; simple.
7. Obsolete. unmarried.
Origin:
1175–1225; ME < OF < L castus clean, pure, chaste

Related forms:
chastely, adverb
chasteness, noun

Synonyms:
1. continent. 4. clean, elevated. 5. unsullied. 6. unaffected, unadorned, neat; classic; elegant.

Antonyms:
1. immoral. 4. coarse. 5. debased. 6. ornate.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To CHASTELY
chaste   (chāst)   
adj.   chast·er, chast·est

  1. Morally pure in thought or conduct; decent and modest.

    1. Not having experienced sexual intercourse; virginal.

    2. Abstaining from unlawful sexual intercourse.

    3. Abstaining from all sexual intercourse; celibate.

  3. Pure or simple in design or style; austere.


[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin castus; see kes- in Indo-European roots.]
chaste'ly adv., chaste'ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

chaste 
c.1225, "virtuous, pure from unlawful sexual intercourse," from O.Fr. chaste "morally pure," from L. castus "pure, chaste" (see caste). Transferred sense of "Sexually pure" is first attested 1565, probably by influence of chastity.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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